Chapter 1082 - 905: Bringing Money (2)

Manxi was used to being scolded, but when he heard the phrase "An incompetent general tires out thousands of troops", he couldn't help but smash things.

The key is that those who scold also have made it a habit. They have been scolding for a long time without any consequences; if they stumble on a stone and stub their toe, if they step into muddy water when it rains, they could effortlessly blame anything that feels unlucky onto the Domain Master.

The habit of scolding the Domain Master has almost become a catchphrase.

In fact, it's common practice on Dingdong Mansion's side as well, with peak times being right before and after the monthly stipend is issued.

A hurried Mo Hei came in, saw the shattered teacup on the ground, paused momentarily, and immediately guessed what had happened. He promptly stepped forward to offer comfort: "Master, don't take those people seriously. No matter how excited they seem now, once the larger picture is settled, they'll all have to conform obediently."

Manxi pointed outside the door, angrily saying: "Before the deadline, he released the money early and even timed it right after we issued the monthly salary here. I think he's doing it deliberately!"

"Alas." Mo Hei sighed lightly, wanting to say, does it really matter whether it was deliberate? He reported seriously: "Master, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang have again led a hundred guards out of the Heavenly Domain, not sure what they're up to."

Manxi furiously said: "They come and go as they please, without even a word, do they take me, the Domain Master, seriously at all? Do they have any sense of order?"

Mo Hei weakly said: "They reported, saying it's to bring in more population, needing to travel far."

Manxi sneered: "His recruitment task is already completed. I don't believe he has the funds to complete recruitment tasks for Dingxi and Dingbei Mansions as well. It's purely an excuse!"

Yet knowing it's an excuse is useless. If someone brings up this excuse, can you stop it? Everyone competes fairly; if you prevent him from recruiting, how will victory be determined at that time? If you dare to stop them, they'll dare not to admit defeat, putting the blame squarely on you.

Thinking of this, he was once again troubled, even if Dingnan Prefecture had a direct passage to the outside with Xun Gate, he couldn't hinder them by blocking the entrance on this side, a misstep leads to a thousand others.

The problem now is that his name is unjustified, and if he can't stabilize this position, he won't have the qualification to hold them accountable in the future...

In the Bowan Building's Central in the Nanshan Royal City, within Miao Dingyi's room, after saluting upon another visit, Shi Chun said little and presented a jade scroll directly. It was nothing special except that it was secretly sent to Feng Chi by Yu Xuanji, recording the assassination attempt by Lei Ying.

Miao Dingyi looked somewhat puzzled, stunned after examining it carefully, and raised his head to question: "Gong Shaoci's people hired someone to kill you; what's going on?"

Shi Chun said: "This jade scroll arrived not long after I entered Yanfu Continent; my subordinate Feng Chi received it secretly. Feng Chi and Young Master Nan even went to Yanfu Continent's entrance for this, unfortunately unable to meet me. The assassination mentioned above happened after my last visit to Mr. Xie's house."

Miao Dingyi frowned: "Why didn't you mention the assassination you encountered before?"

Shi Chun: "I didn't encounter an assassination. However, upon investigation, the assassination attempts did indeed exist, and the assassins are the notorious 'Red Rouge.' Curiously, the assassin disappeared without a trace, leading to the assassination's failure. Therefore, I did not encounter any assassination."

"Red Rouge..." Miao Dingyi muttered, furrowing his brows deeper, they even know who the assassin is, they clearly devised a way to confirm.

Shi Chun continued: "After the failed assassination, the matter of my mount discovering Sandalwood Gold veins came to light too, seemingly attempting to dispose of me in another manner. Sir, do you think Lei Ying dared to make this call himself? The Gong family's higher-ups probably disdain such actions."

"You suspect Gong Shaoci..." Miao Dingyi paused and seemed to realize something, glaring at Shi Chun, "Regarding the mount, are you suspecting I leaked secrets to Xiao Lan, and then Xiao Lan told Gong Shaoci?"

Shi Chun stayed silent, tacitly agreed.

Miao Dingyi couldn't help but laugh, slightly waving his hand, "That's impossible. Before the event, I didn't disclose anything regarding the mount to anyone. Xiao Lan lives too comfortably; she's not yet grown enough to handle such discussions."

Shi Chun said: "Someone is determined to kill me; I must investigate this matter. If it's found to be part of Gong Shaoci's scheme…" He stopped there, making the point.

Miao Dingyi had already grasped his underlying concerns, folded his hands behind him, and said: "He is not suitable with Xiao Lan, especially after his father's death left many suspicious clues. I won't let Xiao Lan get involved with such a problematic family. However, his familial background greatly impacts Nanshan, and the Bowan Building here in Nanshan is under my control. Should he insist on pursuing Xiao Lan, all I can do is refuse, do you understand?"

Shi Chun inquired: "So, you mean if I do something to Gong Shaoci, you won't stop me?"

Miao Dingyi frowned again, "The Gong family's power is not something to take lightly, even I dare not act rashly; don't act impulsively. If trouble arises, I can't protect you."

Shi Chun: "Rest assured, sir, I certainly cannot provoke the Gong family, and I definitely won't act recklessly. But I must resolve the matter of my attempted assassination." He then changed the subject, "Sir, how is my mount, San, doing now?"

Miao Dingyi returned to his seat behind the desk, tapping his fingers slowly on the chair's armrest, looking at Shi Chun with profound eyes, recognizing this is a spirited horse.

After pondering for a long time, he responded slowly: "It has left Yanfu Continent; its life is spared at the cost of not being allowed to re-enter Yanfu Continent. The matter concerning Yanfu Continent is generally over. Now confined under the Heavenly Court's watch, given its peculiar nature, the Heavenly Court unlikely intends to release it easily; forcing matters won't work. You'll have to wait for an opportunity."

Saying so, being able to preserve its life was enough to make Shi Chun feel relieved. Although he did not know how much Miao Dingyi contributed to this, he still sincerely clasped his hands and bowed in thanks: "Thank you, sir, for your assistance."

Miao Dingyi slightly raised the jade scroll in his hand, asking casually: "How did you know the assassin who aimed for you was 'Red Rouge'?"

Shi Chun replied casually: "Li Hongjiu told me, but he refused to elaborate."

"Li Hongjiu?" Miao Dingyi muttered, pondering how that guy would know, perhaps from the Yanbao Sect's information channels?

Later, within the bamboo sea at the back of Yanbao Sect, the fence gate of Li Hongjiu's courtyard was knocked at.

It took a while before the door creaked open, Li Hongjiu stood behind it scolding the disciple who knocked, "What now? Didn't I say not to disturb me when there's nothing? I need to enter seclusion; I need to cultivate!"

The disciple saluted respectfully and reported: "Little Martial Uncle, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang have come, claiming to visit you..."

Upon hearing it was those two guys who had used him as a messenger in Yanfu Continent, recalling the time spent inexplicably trapped deep underground for half a year, Li Hongjiu immediately had a bad feeling, yelled: "Scram, let them scram, say I'm in strict seclusion, not accepting guests."

The disciple hesitated: "Little Martial Uncle, Shi Chun said he owes you money, and has come to deliver it, should the disciple accept it on your behalf?"

Money delivery? Li Hongjiu almost caught his head in the door he was slamming shut and urgently stopped the door panel, twitching his mouth and showing complicated eyes, deeply torn.

He roughly guessed what kind of money it was and was also curious about how much he could get.

Given the scale of that money, even leaking a bit would be amazing, therefore this money can't simply be collected on his behalf, fearing it would cause shock and unable to account to the Sect.